I can NOT read sleepy signs apparently

[Carmela's Mom]

I don't know what to do.  I really am trying to put him down at the right times, but it's backfiring.  I tried today to do one hour after each wake up.  He's 4 weeks old (tomorrow).  It takes him 45 minutes to eat and I did try to put him right back in but that was a no go.  He doesn't cry right away in his crib.  He'll sit and look at the border for 15-20 mins until he's bored and then cry out.  When I go to get him, he sits contently for about 30 mins and then is really tired.  Should I move it to 1.5 hours and see how that goes??? Or will he be overtired by then?  After the first feed, I haven't been able to figure it out YET and I've been trying for over a week now.  Then he goes right in after the second feed and sleeps for 3 hours! 

[Jaime]

it is frustrating, isn't it?  sometimes they do have a wonky EASY pattern.  how are things going now?

[estherofi20]

Does he yawn? 'cause when my DS was that age, usually whenever i saw that first yawn, i would put him in the crib (he did take from 45min to an hr to settle, but i tried to follow EASY, as best as i coudl, he was at his worst from 4WO till 9WO, then his need to pat-shush him decreased, and after 12WO he stopped needing it completely)

[Janie]

I had similar probs with my lo.  I would put her in the crib, and she wouldn't cry, but would look around forever.  After observing her for a few nap times i decided that i needed to block out stimulation to teach her not to look around, as suggested in the books. 
here's what i did: I placed my hand over her eyes, resting the top of my hand on her forehead gently.  If she was very mad and thrashing her head back and forth at this i would just stroker her head. and slowly i would keep my hand over her eyes a little longer every stroke, until she was comfortable with my hand being there.    THIS DIDN"T BECOME A PROP, for whatever reason.  She falls asleep on her own now without needing any help, although it did take time (i am talking about 2 months to get her on a perfect routine, and every now and then there are bumps.  It seems that things smooth out around 4-5 months, although there are bumps at that time too) Another alternative is to have a very darkened room where there isn't really any stimulation for them.  Just a few thoughts!

My lo would also be in the crib a long time (45 minutes) with me covering her eyes and rubbing her tummy, while she was very awake and kicking her legs around (sign that she is tired/overtired). eventually she would cry/fuss, and then fall asleep maybe 20 minutes after that.   
Keep up the good problem solving and things will come around if you stick with teaching your baby new sleep associations!
-j

[Antoinesmom]

When you go in his room after he started crying, what do you do? Do you pick him up or try to calm him in his bed? He may start to expect that you will just go in to go\ive him company when he starts to cry. My son did that for a while at three and a half months, I'd go in and when he was calm I'd leave. It took a while but now he sleeps byhimself.

[linfran]

My lo would do that stare thing when he was tired - he would just focus on something in the the distance and couldn't be distracted - it was pretty weird to watch but I knew that was him getting tired - I think from memory Tracey called it the "seven mile stare".

[Carmela's Mom]

Joey definitely has the seven mile stare and does yawn as well.  I use these signs to have him in the crib.  However, once in the crib, he waits 5 mins and then cries.  I also have a 2 year old so to pat/shh him just isn't going to happen unless she's in her bed resting.  I do not have anyone else to come help me with her.  I don't know what else to do.  Before 4 weeks old, he'd just sleep on his own but now he needs assistance. 

[Jaime]

it could be that the signs you are reading do mean he's tired, but that it's too late to put him down.  you could try putting him down 10 minutes earlier than you have to see fi that helps.

here are some ideas for your toddler, if you haven't seen them already:
https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=63933.0